Expert Tips for Planning Next Year’s Company BBQ
For 80 years, our team has been in the business of creating unforgettable memories for dozens to thousands of guests. Fortunately, the stunning grounds at Birch Hill Estate and Stablegate Farm and Vineyard make our job easy, especially when it is time to execute large outdoor events. With picnic tables, playgrounds, horseshoes and wildlife nestled among our property’s natural beauty, it is never too early to start imagining how it can bring your picnic vision dreams to life.
Check out these picnic planning tips backed by four generations of experience.
How to Jumpstart Your Albany Picnic Plans
Don’t Wait to Secure Your Picnic Venue
Top Albany outdoor BBQ event spaces book up fast. If you are planning a summer company picnic, by late winter/early spring your options become limited. Of course, our flexible team is always able to pop up a tent anywhere on our well-manicured grounds—an excellent alternative to the Pavilions—but we encourage you to expand your options by touring Birch Hill early. You’ll be amazed by all the incredible locations that let you and your employees enjoy a day free of responsibilities and to-dos.
How early do you need to start your search? For large company picnics, we recommend reserving your space six months to a year in advance. Smaller groups can wait until three to six months out, but the earlier the better! The sooner you book, the more time you have to plan your event guided by your personal Birch Hill event coordinator. They won’t let you forget any picnic essentials. From choosing a date to designing your floor plan, they are your reminder and endless source of BBQ planning knowledge.
Bonus: Booking your picnic a year out locks you into the existing year’s pricing—delivering an outstanding value.
Elevate an Unforgettable Company BBQ Theme
From a 2,000-person motorcycle pig roast rally to a backyard beach BBQ, we’ve seen it all. Whether your picnic theme calls for mini motorcycles or sandbox centerpieces and a seafood boil, we will tie it all together to give your guests an incredible and cohesive BBQ experience. From décor and menu choices to entertainment and gifts, every aspect of your event comes together easily once you choose a great theme. The sooner you make your final selection, the more time you have to put the polishing touches on the aspects that bring it to life.
In addition to integrating your creative BBQ ideas, you can further personalize your BBQ theme by customizing your décor with your company colors and logo. From linens to banners, there are lots of opportunities to create an atmosphere that embodies your theme and corporate spirit. Even food and drinks can take on new forms—custom cupcakes and ice luges formed like your company logo are always big hits!
Bonus: Your Birch Hill event coordinator can help you find memorable photo ops that match your event theme and decorate them accordingly. From photos with our horses to elegant pond-side ones, they can show you the perfect backdrop for your event theme.
Choose a Full-Service Albany Picnic Caterer
As you probably know, efficient teams are the cornerstones of success. We understand that coordinated efforts surpass expectations and provide incredible cost savings. That’s why we provide everything you can imagine and alleviate all your stress. No picnic event ideas are too creative or grand for our team and their partner vendors to execute. From setup to cleanup, you will have a designated professional and whole team behind them to make sure nothing falls through the cracks—guaranteeing a seamless experience.
Bonus: Planning earlier allows plenty of time to get your floor plan, timeline and invites in order. And this should ultimately increase attendance.
Custom Design a Simply Delicious BBQ Menu
Picnic planning does not have to be complicated, especially when it comes to designing your custom menu. Our BBQ menu is filled with trusted crowd-pleasers. And if you are wondering how you will make your menu stand out, ask our chefs how they can incorporate local and seasonal produce into completely custom dishes that reflect a commitment to the environment. Whatever you want your menu to convey to guests, we will express it in the tastiest way. It is never too early to start imagining your custom dishes.
Some of our top menu items for company BBQs include:
- Pulled pork with a Memphis BBQ sauce
- 24-hour smoked beef brisket
- Peach glazed BBQ chicken
- Mac & cheese bar with all the toppings
- Roasted garlic mashed potatoes
- Asian coleslaw
- Cold pesto tortellini salad
- Red potato salad with chive-dijonnaise
Bonus: We can offer unlimited beer, wine and soda to go along with your scrumptious custom menu. In addition to the house classics like Coors Light and a seasonal Sam Adams, we can feature craft kegs from the best local breweries at your company picnic.
Expand Your Company Event Entertainment
We have horseshoe pits, corn hole, volleyball, softball, badminton, can jam, ladder ball, tug of war, whiffle ball and basketball facilities on-site. Your picnic activity options at Birch Hill are endless. And by working with outside vendors, we can bring in even more stellar entertainment options that match your event theme. Face painting, slip ‘n slide, professional clowns, carnival games, pony rides, dunk tanks, incredible inflatables like a Velcro wall, space maze, rock wall, Velcro Olympics and human bowling are only a few of the activities that have created unforgettable fun at Birch Hill picnics.
Bonus: Don’t limit your company event entertainment to your picnic date! Take advantage of Birch Hill’s convenient location that makes planning pre- and post-event activities a breeze. These sites and activities can also book up fast, so be sure to reserve them early!
These are only some of the tips our experts have to help you move through the very exciting company event planning process. To have the unwavering support of our meticulous event planners who know the ins and outs of Albany and upstate New York’s finest indoor and outdoor venues by your side every step of the way, contact us online or give us a call at 518.732.4444.